Jetpacks + dummy tests = seven minutes in heaven (w/ video)

April 6, 2011 by Katie Gatto in Technology / Hi Tech & Innovation

(PhysOrg.com) -- The jetpack has been a staple of the science fiction lovers dreams since before the early days of space travel. The idea that one can get from place to place with a big rocket strapped to your back has appealed to the human sense of possibility. It is a kind of freedom that, as yet, humans have been unable to enjoy. Sure, hopping on a jet plane may get you there, once you have endured the long lines and the potentially invasive customs check, but strapping of a jet pack is much, much cooler.

The idea of a jetpack is not new, but what about its implementation? As it turns out, that is not so new either. In 2008 researchers at Martin Jetpack created a prototype of their very own jetpack. Though, the pack is much bigger than you would picture. Instead of two neat cylinders strapped to your back, and held on by a seat belt style of device, this is actually much larger than the person who flies it. It looks almost like a lunar landing pod.

Much more recently, this week in fact, the pack got its first real test. The remote controlled jetpack was spotted flying around with a dummy for a few minutes. The dummy, which has been weighted to simulate the weight distribution of a pilot, was air born for seven minutes. While this may not sound like a long flight, it is the current record for this pack.

This pack is still in its early stages of testing and no information about a release date have been announced at this time, so jetpack fans will have to wait a little bit longer.